The attraction exerted by Biomphalaria glabrata infected with Angiostrongylus costaricensis on Schistosoma mansoni miracidia of the BH strain was tested, using a glass apparatus composed by two circular chambers connected to a channel. One mollusk or a sample of a snail conditioning water (SCW) was placed in one of the chambers, randomly selected, and the remaining of the apparatus was filled with chlorine-free water. Ten miracidia were placed in the centre of the channel and their behaviour was observed for 15 minutes. Ten replicates were made for each treatment (snail or SCW), using different specimens of mollusks or different samples of SCW. Mollusks infected with A. costaricensis attracted significantly less S. mansoni miracidia than non-infected B. glabrata. In addition, miracidia were also significantly more attracted to SCW from mollusks infected with A. costaricensis.
Angiostrongylus costaricensis; Schistosoma mansoni; Biomphalaria glabrata; miracidia
